Notre Dame Legend Lou Holtz Lands Presidential Medal of Freedom
Lou Holtz has received countless honors over the years, but on Thursday, he was presented with the highest honor the United States can give a civilian, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Donald Trump.
“He’s one of the greatest titans in American football history,” President Trump said during the ceremony. “His towering reputation will endure forever in the chronicles of athletics, but more importantly, in the chronicles of life — because he’s really a life teacher.
“That’s what he is; he’s a life teacher. He teaches people how to live and how to live properly, and how to live with dignity.”
The Notre Dame legend was humbled by the honor.
“You don’t go in life saying, ‘I want to win this award,’” Holtz said during his remarks. “You just wake up one day and it happens. But this award, as great as it is, does not define who Lou Holtz is. My beautiful family, my precious wife, my friends: You have determined who I am, and I just try to be a solid person.
“As I think it was said, the two most important days of your life was the day you were born; the other is the day you discover why you’re born.”
Holtz was the last coach to win a national championship for the Irish.
In 11 seasons as Notre Dame head coach, Holtz won 100 games, lost 32 and tied two. He also head coaching stints with William & Mary, North Carolina State, the New York Jets, Arkansas, Minnesota and South Carolina.
Holtz noted that most people who are recognized for such awards are singled out for what they did.
“I’m recognized for what other people did,” he said. “I never made a block or a tackle, but I did try to teach people to make good choices. That’s all I’ve ever tried to do.”
Notre Dame released a statement when President Trump made the announcement back in September.
“Lou Holtz is among America’s greatest college football coaches, leading Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988,” University vice president for public affairs and communications Paul Browne said in a statement at the time.
“But his contributions off the field have been equally inspiring, bringing attention and support to his hometown, alma mater, Catholic Charities, the Women’s Care Foundation, the Center for the Homeless in South Bend, and other worthy organizations through his charitable foundation.
“At Notre Dame, he and his late wife, Beth, served as research ambassadors, and the players he molded have added to his legacy through their own contributions through the Lou’s Lads Foundation.”
Holtz’s wife, Beth, passed away this past June after a battle with throat cancer.